What's up with the Kinect functionality in Mass Effect 3?

The Kinect can be used to issue orders to your squad members among other things in the Xbox 360 version. Mass Effect 3 producer Jesse Houston has said that the Kinect will not work with multiplayer. Also, Kinect is solely used for voice commands, not motion controls.

The "War Assets" you collect in Galaxy at War directly affect the outcome single-player campaign. Galaxy at War measures Shepard's "Galactic Readiness" level, affecting the outcome of the final battle against the Reapers. It requires an Online Pass, included with all new copies of Mass Effect 3. Playing Mass Effect 3: Galaxy at War is optional. Although the system can affect the single-player campaign of Mass Effect 3, it can be ignored and the same results can be achieved by playing only the single-player campaign.

Does Mass Effect 3 have multiplayer?

Yes. Mass Effect 3 will feature a 4 player co-op multiplayer mode called Galaxy at War. Here are some facts about Mass Effect 3's multiplayer.

Activities include fighting off enemy waves and capturing enemy areas

You will be able to play as different alien races like Asari, Turians, Krogans and Drell, and more races and characters will be available as DLC

Multiplayer will affect the outcome of your singleplayer game. Your "Galactic Readiness" rating will determine the outcome of the final fight against the Reapers, though playing the multiplayer is not at all necessary to completing the single player story..

It requires an Online Pass, included with all new copies of Mass Effect 3.

Upgrades to weapons, mods, available race/class combos and appearances are handles via "packs." Packs contain some combination of common, uncommon, rare, and ultra rare items, and are purchasable for credits (which you get from playing multiplayer matches) or Bioware points.

Where will Mass Effect 3 take place?

The Normandy SR-2, rebuilted with new technologies and new areas, will return in Mass Effect 3 to take you freely to many familiar systems. You will also be able to explore some new places, like the homeworlds of the Asari, Turian, Quarian, and Salarians:

What DLC is coming for Mass Effect 3?

So far, only the promotional Weapons and Armor from pre-orders and special editions have been confirmed. However, downloadable Characters and Races for the multiplayer co-op mode have been hinted at by BioWare.

GameStop may have revealed the first piece of DLC for Mass Effect 3. A receipt image sent to Joystiq reveals that GameStop sold a code for Mass Effect 3 DLC called From Ashes, unrelated to the downloadable game of the same name. According to the reader, the code cost him $10.[n]

In April another one is coming out.

Who's composing the Mass Effect 3 soundtrack?

Composer Clint Mansell will be composing the score for Mass Effect 3. Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2 composer Jack Wall will not be involved, however, Sam Hulick, Christopher Lennertz, Cris Velasco and Sascha Dikiciyan, known for their work for the DLC for Mass Effect 2 will return.

What are exclusive armor and weapons I can get from pre-orders and demos?

Bioware announced [n] various downloadable items that will be given to people that pre-order Mass Effect 3. The DLC items vary by retailer and may be limited to US outlets.

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning Exclusive Content

On January 11, 2011, EA announced a crossover between Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning and Mass Effect 3. Playing the demo for Kingdoms of Amalur will unlock two Reckoning-inspired in-game items in Mass Effect 3, while playing the Mass Effect 3 demo will unlock armor and a weapon in Kingdoms of Amalur.

Playing Amalur will lead to Reckoner Knight Armor and a Chakram Launcher weapon in Mass Effect 3. EA says the armor will "maximize damage done in close-quarters combat while a beefed-up power cell feeds energy into weapon systems to increase projectile velocity," and that the launcher "uses a fabricator to manufacture lightweight, explosive ammunition discs."

Art of the Mass Effect 3 Universe Pre-Order Content

The Dark Horse-published Art of the Mass Effect 3 Universe book includes in-game bonuses. Readers will earn themselves a DLC code for the Collector Assault Rifle, which also came as a bonus in the Mass Effect 2 Collector's Edition. You can only score this PC- and Xbox 360-exclusive weapon (and other unspecified content) by pre-ordering The Art of the Mass Effect Universe from Barnes & Noble before February 20.

BigBadToyStore Exclusive Content

BigBadToyStore has revealed that their upcoming line of Mass Effect figurines will include an added bonus for fans in the way of downloadable content. Each of the new 6.7" to 7.25" figures from the second series of the set (Miranda, Mordin, Legion, and Garrus) will include a card packed in with an access code for downloadable content for the game. The official description reads:

This product contains a code that can be redeemed for bonus content for Mass Effect 3 multi-player that could include powerful weapons to take on the Reapers. The pack could also include character boosters, weapon modifications, and weapon upgrades to make your multi-player squad stronger.

Unfortunately for PS3 owners, the content only applies to the PC and Xbox 360 versions of the game. EOF-TEST.

What is Mass Effect 3's release date?

BioWare and Electronic Arts announced the release date for Mass Effect 3. The title hits stores on March 6, 2012 worldwide for PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3.

Mass Effect 3 was originally scheduled to ship in late 2011, but the game was recently delayed to 2012. (Source: IGN)

Will Mass Effect 3 allow same-sex relationships?

Mass Effect 3 will allow users to pursue same-sex relationships, regardless of whether they play as a male or female Commander Shephard.

Will Shepard's powers be reset like they were at the beginning of Mass Effect 2?

Importing Shepard from ME2 will allow you to retain his/her level. Ability ranks are not carried over - you will have to re-allocate them due to the difference between ability ranks from the second and third game.